Big Picture Science

Big Picture Science
	Big Picture Science Logo
Genre	Science
Running time	1 hour
Country of origin	United States
Language(s)	English
Syndicates	self-distributed via the Public Radio Satellite System
Hosted by	Seth Shostak, Molly Bentley
Executive producer(s)	Molly Bentley
Edited by	Molly Bentley, Seth Shostak, Gary Niederhoff
Recording studio	Oakland, California
Original release	2002
Audio format	mp3, wav
Website	bigpicturescience.org
Podcast	bigpicturescience.org/listening_options

Big Picture Science is an independent national science radio program and podcast hosted by astronomer Seth Shostak and journalist Molly Bentley, the executive producer of the show.^[1]

The program uses innovative storytelling to connect trends in contemporary research and technology. Episodes are thematic, providing in-depth discussion of the latest developments in science. Guests include researchers from academic, public and private spheres, popular science writers, cultural critics, engineers, and ethicists focused on science. Regular "Skeptic Check," episodes are devoted to critical thinking and take on topics in junk science and the paranormal.^[2]^[3]

The show is broadcast on approximately 155 radio stations, many of them NPR affiliates. These include KALW in San Francisco, WCMU-FM in Michigan, WVPE in Indiana, WHRV in Virginia, WIEC in Wisconsin, and WNYE in New York City. It is carried on about two dozen Native American stations. The show is also available for download via podcast and direct download from podcast networks as well as the show's website where archived shows from 2006 on can also be found. Episodes are cut to an NPR clock.

Big Picture Science was formerly titled Are We Alone? and was produced at the SETI Institute until January 2025 when the show went independent. It is distributed through the Public Radio Satellite System and Public Radio Exchange.^[4]

^ "About Big Picture Science". SETI Institute. 2014. Archived from the original on October 1, 2011. Retrieved February 5, 2015.
^ Blakemore, Erin (June 23, 2018). "Selling science, and debunking pseudoscience, through great stories". Washington Post. Archived from the original on July 20, 2021. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
^ "Geomedia: Radio: "Big Picture Science" aptly named". www.earthmagazine.org. Archived from the original on June 18, 2022. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
^ "About The Show". August 13, 2023. Retrieved August 13, 2023.

[seti-1] "About Big Picture Science". SETI Institute. 2014. Archived from the original on October 1, 2011. Retrieved February 5, 2015.

[2] Blakemore, Erin (June 23, 2018). "Selling science, and debunking pseudoscience, through great stories". Washington Post. Archived from the original on July 20, 2021. Retrieved July 15, 2022.

[3] "Geomedia: Radio: "Big Picture Science" aptly named". www.earthmagazine.org. Archived from the original on June 18, 2022. Retrieved July 15, 2022.

[4] "About The Show". August 13, 2023. Retrieved August 13, 2023.

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